How many careers can you get with an elementary education degree? Elementary education degrees prepare you for a variety of careers, including teaching , training and counselling roles. With an elementary education degree, you can become a reading specialist, tutor or a guidance counsellor . While there are many areas of education you might specialize in, the core schooling skills covered in four years of undergraduate schooling have plenty of applications online and off.
Elementary education degrees are for those who want to teach in elementary schools. These degrees can be either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS). Either of these degrees will allow you to teach at the elementary level, but the BA degree gives you more freedom in that you can choose any subject matter you wish to teach.
The BA degree usually requires 96 credit hours, while the BS degree requires 120 credit hours. Both types of degrees require core courses in social sciences, English language arts, and math. You’ll also likely take courses in education methods and child development.
Once you graduate from your undergraduate program, you’ll need to get certified as an elementary teacher. In most states, this means passing a test on your knowledge of teaching methods, general content area knowledge and pedagogy before beginning to teach full time.
If teaching isn’t for you, but you still have an interest in working with children then look into becoming a preschool teacher or daycare provider instead!
What jobs can you get with an elementary education degree
Introduction
I’m always surprised when people tell me they wish they could go back to being an elementary school student. “I loved my time in elementary school!” I hear them exclaim, or, “Elementary school was the best!” My first reaction is usually a confused look. Elementary school was when I first started having nightmares about being late to class and forgetting to study for tests—and this was before high school even happened! Still, there’s so much to love about working with kids at such a pivotal point in their lives. Teachers get to introduce kids to the ideas and subjects that will shape the rest of their lives. They also get to watch children grow into themselves and become more independent as they move on from fifth grade and start middle school (which really brings back those nightmares). As educators who work with students between kindergarten and eighth grade, you have the opportunity to mold future generations while enjoying one of the most rewarding careers imaginable. Even so, teaching isn’t your only option if you earn an undergraduate degree in elementary education.
K-8 Education
You can teach in a K-8 school. K-8 schools are the most common type of elementary school and have both kindergarten and elementary school students enrolled. This makes it easy for you to get a job as a teacher because there’s always a need for teachers at this level.
You can also teach in a school that has multiple grade levels. These types of schools include middle schools and high schools, which may have more than one class per grade (for example, 6th grade).
Special Education
Special education teachers work with students who have disabilities or learning differences. They may teach regular classes, but they also act as counselors, therapists, and advisers to their students. Special education teachers can work in public schools or private schools that cater to special needs students.
In order to become a special education teacher you will need a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis on early childhood through middle school education. You’ll also want to get certified in whatever area you’re planning on specializing (such as autism) because this will give you more job opportunities and make it easier for potential employers to see your credentials when they are looking over resumes.
Special education teachers can earn from $41k-$64k annually depending on where they teach and what their level of experience is within the field; however those starting out usually make closer to minimum wage which is about $16 per hour for full time employment so even if you’re working 40 hours per week every week during school year that only amounts up around $31k annually which isn’t bad at all considering all of the benefits associated with working with children who have disabilities such as:
- Increased job security – since there aren’t many people willing or able do this kind of work then there aren’t many jobs available either so competition isn’t very high among applicants who want them which means higher chance getting hired quickly even without experience yet fairly good pay rate already set before even having started working (which means less risk).
Reading Specialist Certification
Reading Specialist Certification:
Reading specialists work with students who have reading difficulties, helping to improve their reading comprehension, fluency and vocabulary. They may also be able to help students learn how to read or write. Reading specialists can also help children with dyslexia or those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Math Specialist Certification
For those who have a passion for math, the opportunities are endless. Whether you want to teach students with special needs or those with learning disabilities, you can use your degree to help them succeed in mathematics. You may also decide to teach high school or middle school aged children.
The teaching path is a rewarding one and can provide you with satisfaction that comes from seeing your students improve their grades. Additionally, if you feel as though you aren’t ready to work directly with children yet but still want an education job related to math, there are plenty other options available including working as a tutor or at an after-school program helping kids learn how they can improve their grades by learning more about mathematical concepts such as fractions and percentages
Early Childhood Education/Specialist Certification
Early Childhood Education
To begin, early childhood education is the education of children from birth through age 8. Early childhood educators are responsible for providing a safe, supportive learning environment where children can develop a strong foundation in language, literacy and social skills. They collaborate with parents to ensure that they are meeting the needs of each child at every stage of development.
Specialist Certification
A specialist in early childhood education is someone who has received specialized training in this field and passed an exam demonstrating their knowledge and expertise as it relates to teaching this age group. Specialists must have earned at least a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related fields such as child development or child psychology before taking the certification exam administered by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The exam itself consists of two parts: multiple choice questions regarding the knowledge needed to be an early childhood educator; and an essay question about classroom management within your setting/situation
A degree in elementary education can prepare you to teach elementary school or focus on a specific area.
A degree in elementary education can prepare you to teach elementary school or focus on a specific area. If you want to teach K-8, you may want to earn a degree in general education or child development. If you’re interested in special education, read the description below of areas that require specialized training.
Specialized certifications are available for teachers who have an interest in working with certain groups of students. Some examples include:
- Reading specialist certification–teach reading skills to children with developmental disabilities
- Math specialist certification–teach math skills at all grade levels
- Early childhood education/specialist certification–work with young students from birth up through age eight
Conclusion
There are many different jobs you can get as an elementary education graduate. This list is a good starting point, and it should help you start thinking about what kind of career path you want to pursue after graduation.
